Local Incident Management Plan (LIMP) A4 Quick Reference

Community Emergency Information Booklet 2024 to 2025

How to plan

Taking steps to get prepared before the fire season means you know what to do when you’re at risk of fire. Just as every family or household is unique, every fire plan will be different.   To develop your PERSONAL FIRE PLAN you will need to consider the following

  1. Which Fire Danger Rating is your trigger to leave?

  2. Will you leave early that morning or the night before?

  3. Where will you go?

  4. What route will you take – and what is your alternative in the event that a fire is already in the area?

  5. What will you take with you?

  6. What do you need to organise for your pets or livestock?

  7. Who do you need to keep informed of your movements?

  8. Is there anyone outside your household who you need to help or check up on?

  9. How will you stay informed about warnings and updates?

  10. What will you do if there is a fire in the area and you cannot leave?

Remember to decide who will do what as part of your plan. 

The following freebies will help you to develop your PERSONAL FIRE PLAN

CFA Fire Ready Booklet 2022

Your Guide to Farm Fire Safety

Your Guide to Property Preparation

Bushfire survival planning template

Plans, booklets and further emergency information are available at the Buchan Neighbourhood House.

The Neighbourhood House also operates a community phone tree for Buchan, Buchan South, Buchan East, Murrindal, Timbarra, Gilingal and Bete Belong during fire threats to keep the community up to date on fire information.  Please contact us if you would like to be added to this phone tree. Phone trees are continually updated and reviewed to the best of our knowledge. 

Phone Tree Procedures Document

W Tree, Gelantipy and Wulgulmerang are managed by the Gelantipy Bush Nursing Service and use the What’s App for communications due to limited mobile phone coverage. 

The Buchan Neighbourhood house will also post information on Facebook for fire information as this can be accessed by computer or by mobile phone.

On days of high fire danger and hot conditions, members of the community are invited and encouraged to come to the Neighbourhood House to enjoy the air-conditioned comfort.  Bring your book, sewing, etc and relax at the centre.  Animals can also be brought to the centre.  Cats in boxes, please.

Go to the emergency services pages for related contact numbers and web pages.

What to do in fire situations

  • Monitor conditions.
  • Check your bushfire survival plan. If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes.
  • If time permits, check your neighbours to see if they are monitoring conditions.
  • If you are experiencing any symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure, the Department of Health advises people to seek medical advice or call Nurse on Call on  1300 606 024.

Additional Information:
For General Bushfire Information

  • Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on free 1800 240 667   For information on fires or planned burns in Victoria and general fire safety
  • ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations or watching Sky News TV
  • www.cfa.vic.gov.au  Information about fire restrictions, fire bans and fires on private land
  • www.ses.vic.gov.au
  • Deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment can contact VBIL via the National Relay Service on 1800 555 677
  • Callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment may also call textphone/telewriter (TTY) on 1800 122 969.
  • Information is also available at www.dse.vic.gov.au/fires

ABC Gippsland on Facebook is also a helpful site for fire information.

CFA on Facebook

Planned Burns

For information on the joint fuel management program go to https://www.ffm.vic.gov.au/bushfire-fuel-and-risk-management/joint-fuel-management-program

Planned Burns Information Forest Fire Management

Buchan Valley Flood Information

Buchan Valley Local Flood Guide V7 Final April 2024.pdf (Version 2.0)

Online Resources

Resilient Ready. Delivers solutions for every organisation to thrive before, during and after disasters

East Gippsland Building Community Resilience 2015

Winners of the 2015 Fire Awareness Awards.  Community Led Prevention and Preparedness Award
East Gippsland Network of Neighbourhood Houses and Centre for Rural Communities